Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1887-12-24

Il Il
Alright, and trusting all to her COM
panion, she followed him through the
| darkness.
Slowly the painting, foam-iecked
horses walked onward, guided by their
riders. The poor animals were nearly
exhausted, but it would not do to give
them breathing spell even now.
First they must be sure that they were
out of danger.
It seemed that for hours they pressed
onward. Edna was completely be-
wildered; she could not tell where
they we're going. However, she began
to feel that their pursuers were eluded.
and was mentally thanking the Al-wlse
Being who had allowed them to escape,
when suddenly, all round them, num-
Der of dark forms seemed to spring up
out of the very earth.
Then through the night rang out a
yell of triumph from the Threats OF a
dozen Sioux, and ere they could re-
sist both man and maiden were dragged
from their horses. Then Edna became
unconscious. She knew nothing OF
what happened until her senses re-
turned and she found herself lying upon
the ground with her hands tightly
bound.
Near at hand campfire was
feebly burning, and by its
light she saw that she was
surrounded by the forms of many sleep
ing indians. They were In q little
cottonwood grove upon the bank of a
stream.
Arealizing sense of the full horror
of the position caused sickening SEN
sation to sweep over her, and for a
moment she came near fainting again.
She was a captive in the hands of the
blood-thirsty redskins.
But where was her companion, Jack
son Blake? She asked herself the
question, and then shuddered with
horror as an answer arose in her mind.
He had been murdered! As she looked
upon the sleeping forms she half-ex-
pected. to see Jackson Blake's scalp at
tached to savage's girdle. But. al
still felt sure that her companion had
been slain.
By the faring light of the campfire
she saw that beneath the rude rawhide
thongs that held her wrists together
silk handkerchief had been placed,
evidently to keep the bonds from cut
ting and chatting her tender flesh. The
handkerchief, she thought, had been
taken FROM the body of her companion,
but such care for her feelings upon the
part of a red man was great surprise.
The Indians were all sleeping soundly,
evidently little fearing the approach of
foes or the escape OF their captive.
Edna struggled to break her bonds,
but one attempt was sufficient for it
showed her that such thing was i'm
possible. Then she thought that she
might arise and steal away but she be-
came aware that lariat was fastened
around her waist and attached to the
wrist of an Indian near by.
AS she lay there, trying to think of
some means of escape, she fancied she
heard faint sound in the darkness,
near at hand. She strained he eyes in
that direction, but for time could see
The fire sank lower, till dull-red
glow given out by the embers was
about all the light visible. Then,
near at hand, she hear warning hiss,
and among the other shadows, seeming
one Of them, she saw what appeared to
be human form. The next moment
the dark form slowly and silently ad-
vanced.
With her heart pounding heavily in
her breast, Edna watched this shadow.
Without the least noise it drew nearer.
Finally the trembling, excited girl was
enabled to make out that it was a |
white man.
Without disturbing the sleeping In
dams the daring intruder reached the
captive's side. The dull light from the
embers flashed upon the bare blade of
q knife; the next moment the girls
bonds were cut.
In her ear the stranger breathed the
very softest of whispers, enjoining the
greatest caution. Then he lifted her to
her feet. She would have fed from
the spot, but he detained her.
Cautiously they crept away. and, !
without disturbing Oil Indian, reached
The shadows that lay just beyond the /,
diminishing circle of light.
In another moment they were hasten
ing away through the cotton woods. |
Suddenly the sound of voices near at |
hand arrested their fleeing footsteps.
The unknown rescuer quickly sank to !
the ground, drawing the girl down
with him. They were near the edge
If the timber, and short distance
away they could see dark form family |
outlined against the sky. The man was
speaking, and evidently others were
sitting on the ground near at hand,
listening.
We've got the girl in our hands. |
The rest will be easy. We will drop
IN the train and wipe it out. Then I |
will turn up and pretend to rescue the
girl from the reds. She will never
suspect me, and will naturally look j
lpon me as hero. OF course she will |
all in love with me. shaving no other